USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. I > Part 49
USA > Minnesota > Steele County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. I > Part 49
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HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
Ingenious devices were used to distract the attention of the merchants, while a dip into the candy box or nut barrel was made. Nails were driven into the ends of sticks by which a bunch of raisins could be quietly hooked. You see to what straits for employment and amusement many were driven.
In the spring of 1857, when the river was at the flood, a young man ventured to go over the dam. In doing so his boat swamped and he was nearly drowned. Upon being drawn upon the bridge, his landlord walked up to the almost lifeless body, and giving it a kiek, said, "I'll teach you not to go and drown yourself until you have paid me your board."
In those halcyon days of steamboats, when railroads and railroad bonds did not trouble us, those of you, who traveled, recollect how crowded they were; packed like herrings in a barrel, was a common occurrence, when cabin floors, chairs, tables, and every available space and piece of furniture were put in requisition and covered by tired humanity. It was once my good fortune to obtain a room in company with a very corpulent German. Retiring first, I took the lower birth, and was soon fast asleep. I did not awaken when he entered, but soon did so from a crash and the smothering effects of the upper birth upon me while the frantie struggles and great weight of my German friend soon made me aware of what had happened. He soon rolled off, however, and as soon as he could get the mattress off, my ears were greeted with the exclamations and question, "Mine Gott ! Mine Gott! Ish you kilt?" Soon assuring him I was safe it no doubt took a great load off his mind, as he did off my stomach.
EARLY DAYS.
The site of the present prosperous and beautiful city of Northfield was first settled in 1854 by Daniel B. Turner, Daniel Kirkendahl, Jonathan Alexander. J. A. Stewart and a man named Trawl, who located on the claim, south of the city, afterward owned by J. D. Hoskins. Several others came here that year, but went back East to spend the winter, returning in the spring. A general influx of settlers commenced in 1855, and most of those who arrived that year became permanent settlers. To these men Northfield is largely indebted for its prominent place on the map of the state. Among these might be mentioned John W. North, Thomas H. Olin, Charles N. Stewart, Franklin Kelley, Daniel Bowe, J. D. Hoskins, Sumner E. Drake, his sons, Joseph Sumner, Charles and Albert; Dan. Bunday, Charles Wheeler, Alborn and John Hoyt, John S. Way, Joseph Ford, Isaac Len- hout, Herman Jenkins, Philip Coburn, Mr. Pease. Felix Collett,
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George Loomis, Charles Whittier, John, Charles and Henry Bingham ; Hilan, Darius, Columbus and Merill White. A few of those mentioned above found themselves located in the town of Bridgewater when the township organizations were estab- lished.
The first frame house was built by John W. North, on the corner of Fourth and Division streets, where the Central block now stands. This house was afterwards moved east a few rods on Fourth street, and later removed to Union street, between Seventh and Eighth streets, where, remodeled, it still serves as a dwelling.
Northfield township was organized in 1858, with John S. Way, George C. Thorpe and J. H. Hunt on the first board of supervisors. Mr. Thorpe carried the election returns to the county seat on foot the next day.
The village government was organized and went into effect in 1871. The following officers were elected: President of the council, S. P. Stewart ; associates, E. Lathrop. H. Scriver. F. A. Noble and E. Hobbs : recorder, Lewis Goodsell ; treasurer, Fred Goodsell; marshal, Charles Wheeler; attorney, O. M. Meade; surveyor, F. O. Rice; street commissioner, A. F. Kingman. Unfortunately, the greater part of the village records have been destroyed.
In the spring of 1875 a city government was established under a special law passed by the legislature of the previous winter. A meeting was held at Lyceum hall. March 16, at which time the following officers qualified: Mayor, Hiram Scriver ; aldermen, Charles S. Hulbert. Charles W. Mann, A. P. Stewart. B. M. James, C. S. Farrell, J. C. Nutting. Harold Thoreson and O. S. Taylor. A. P. Stewart was elected president : W. H. Nor- ton, recorder ; Charles Taylor, city attorney : O. M. Meade and C. A. Wheaton, justices of the peace : J. L. Haywood, treasurer : Elias Hobbs, chief of police.
The following Northfield men have served in the territorial and state legislatures (Note-The legislature of 1857 is com- monly called the first state legislature, although it met in terri- torial days, the enabling act having passed congress February 26, 1857. but the state not having been admitted until May 24. 1858) : 1857. Dr. John L. Scofield: (1860, D. H. Frost in the senate) : 1861. J. D. Hoskins; 1863, Charles Taylor : 1864. A. N. Nourse : 1865. Charles Taylor; 1867, Charles A. Wheaton ; 1868. Jesse Ames : 1869, W. J. Sibbison : 1871-72. Capt. Ara Barton : 1873, Elias Ilobbs: 1874. B. M. James and H. B. Martin : 1875, J. S. Allen and 11. B. Martin: 1876, F. A. Noble; 1877. Hiram Scriver : 1878. J. S. Hlaselton : 1879. Iliram Scriver: 1881. S. P. Stewart: 1883, John S. Way; 1885, W. S. Pattee: 1887. J. A.
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HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
Alexander; 1889, B. M. James ; 1891, Joseph Roach ; 1893, A. B. Kelley and Joseph Roach; 1895, A. B. Kelley; 1897, D. F. Kel- ley ; 1899, A. B. Kelley; 1901, A. B. Kelley; 1903, D. F. Kelley ; 1905, A. K. Ware; 1907, A. K. Ware and J. A. Phillips.
It will be noted that from 1857 to 1907, a period of fifty years, Northfield men sat in every legislative session except the fourth, eighth and twelfth.
The city of Northfield is located in the northeast corner of the county, and is the second city in the county in population, according to the government enumeration, just completed. Add to this the number of students attending Carleton and St. Olaf colleges and the streets on a pleasant evening present some- thing of a metropolitan appearance. The Cannon river divides the city in the middle. Formerly the east side was prairie, dot- ted with many small groves, the home of the prairie chicken, grouse and the plover. The west side was heavy timber, extend- ing back to the Minnesota or St. Peter river, and commonly known as the "big woods." The tract was the home of the deer, the bear and the wolf, and was the favorite hunting ground of the Indians. This territory formerly belonged to the Sioux, but the hunting was so good and the temptation so great that not infrequently hunting parties of Chippewas crossed the Missis- sippi for the purpose of the chase. These two tribes were hereditary enemies, and whenever two opposing hunting parties met a battle royal ensued. Up to within a few years ago evi- dences of these conflicts were distinguishable on the borders of the "big woods." Some of us, who were boys in those days, have a vivid remembrance of the long tramps we took in order to be present at the war dance of the victorious party. The writer has witnessed more than one function of this kind, and has had his own scalp in jeopardy more than once on the plains and along the Missouri river. He was an interested spectator, with other white boys and girls, of one in the fall of 1856. A hunting party of Chippewas had fallen in with a party of Sioux and had succeeded in securing three scalps. Accordingly, they at once proceeded to celebrate their victory with the time- honored ceremony of the scalp dance. The writer does not remember exactly where the battle took place, but the dance was near the north end of what is now West Water street, on the side hill, a few rods from the river. It was not a large party, perhaps numbering fifty or sixty, including squaws and papooses. (Note-Indians usually took their families with them on their hunting trips. It is well known that the Indian is a "gun man," and feels that it is beneath his dignity to perform any menial service, hence the necessity for taking along his wife to skin and prepare the game and keep house for her lord and master.)
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Preliminary to the dance a pole about seven or eight feet long. and from one and a half to two inches in diameter, is provided. This pole is sharpened at both ends, and the scalps are impaled on one end, while the other end is firmly implanted in the ground. The Indians then form a circle, joining hands, around the pole. the diameter of which is determined by the number of partici- pants. At a given signal the band strikes up, and soon the pow- wow is in full blast. An Indian band is unique in the extreme. but I have heard worse music by professed civilized players. The instruments are mostly of their own devising and manufac- ture, and consist of fifes and other wind instruments made of reeds and sections of willow and Kinnikinick trunks, from which the pitch has been removed. Drums of various shapes and sizes are also used, with cymbals, bells, etc. The Indians hop around the circle, keeping fairly good time with the music, chanting in monotone a succession of spasmodic grunts and exclamations, which no doubt are perfectly intelligible to themselves, but are all Greek to the spectator. Some of us who later acquired a sufficient amount of the Indian language to enable us to hold conversations with the natives, often tried, but never succeeded in discovering the meaning of Ki, Ki, Ko, Ko, Ha, Ha, Hay, Hay, Kuk, Kuk, Yi, Yi, etc., etc., which is as near the language of the war dance as can be produced on paper. The whole show, lighted by the fitful glare of the campfire, presented a scene of the most vivid description .-- By D. F. Kelley.
CHAPTER XXV.
MODERN NORTHFIELD.
Description-Old City Hall-City Hall and Fire House-North- field Fire Department-Police Force-Carnegie Library- Northfield Park-Bridge Square-Waterworks and Sewers- Electric Lights-Northfield Commercial Club-Rice County Fair Association-Northfield Hospital Association-Ware Auditorium-Odd Fellows' Home-Young Men's Christian Association-Railroads- Cemeteries- Banks- Manufactur- ing Interests-Industries-Churches-Societies and Clubs.
The graceful Cannon river, winding its peaceful way out of the big woods of Minnesota, flows through a picturesque valley on its way to the Mississippi and the Gulf. About thirty miles south of the junction of the Minnesota and the Mississippi, the present ro- mantic site of Fort Snelling, the Cannon tending more to the eastward, leaves the woods and runs out across the prairies. On the west bank lies a noble forest, rising by an easy ascent up and over the heights of Manitou and off into the distance. The east- ern slope rising yet more gradually stretches away in undulating prairie to the horizon. For ages this beautiful landscape re- mained in the possession of the red men. The white man came at last and in the course of time the beginnings of trade and civili- zation were made and Northfield was established. Among the men of early days John W. North, Charles M. Goodsell and Harold Thoreson did more than any others to direct the tendency and establish the tone and character of the new town of North- field. The mill, lyceum and library established by North were followed by Carleton College, secured by the untiring efforts and generosity of Goodsell, and later by St. Olaf College, for which the enterprising Thoreson is entitled to much credit. The mill going through various stages of duplication, rebuilding, enlarg- ing and modernizing keeps up its ceaseless activity to the pres- ent day. The library, encouraged by another pioneer, Hiram Scriver, and adopted at last by the city administers to the happi- ness and welfare of the city. Carleton, secure in her past and future, from her generous campus on the East looks across the valley in friendly recognition of her younger sister, St. Olaf, whose buildings crown the crest of Manitou.
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A town like Northfield, with water, sewers, electric lights. adequate railroads, colleges, churches, public library, high grade schools, up-to-date business houses and a cultured atmosphere, makes a place excelled by few as a desirable home town and an ideal college location.
City Government. A charter for a village government was obtained in 1871, and the first meeting under the new organiza- tion held in March. The first officers were: President, S. P. Stewart ; councilmen, E. Lathrop, H. Scriver, F. A. Noble and E. Ilobbs, and on organization E. Lathrop was chosen chairman. Lewis Goodsell was elected recorder: Fred Goodsell, treasurer ; Charles Wheeler, marshal; Lewis Goodsell, assessor; O. M1. Meade, attorney ; F. O. Rice, surveyor ; and A. F. Kingman, street commissioner.
In the spring of 1875 a city charter was obtained. The elec- tion of city officers having taken place, a meeting for organization was held on March 16 at Lyceum hall. It was called to order by the mayor-elect, Hiram Scriver, and there were present the fol- lowing aldermen : Charles S. Hulbert, C. W. Mann, A. P. Stew- art. B. M. James, C. S. Farrell, J. C. Nutting, Harold Thoreson, and O. S. Taylor. A. P. Stewart was elected president ; W. H. Norton, recorder : Charles Taylor, city attorney ; O. M. Meade and C. A. Wheaton, justices of the peace ; J. L. Heywood, treasurer ; Elias Hobbs, chief of police.
The present officers are: Mayor, W. A. Hunt; recorder, Richard F. Shorrocks, Sr. ; treasurer, Charles Crary ; councilmen, J. F. Wyman, Charles W. Lyman, W. C. Barnard, Frank Curren, Joseph E. Drake, Frank W. Shandorf, C. S. Dougherty, John Walden, A. C. Dayton ; chief of police, Robert S. Ramage : chief of fire department, Ross C. Phillips; city surveyor, F. O. Rice : city attorney, Charles R. Pye ; municipal judge, C. P. Carpenter ; special municipal judge, D. F. Kelley ; justices of the peace. F. O. Rice and Joseph Donaldson.
Old City Hall. This building was the first erected by the town for public purposes, on Fourth street, and was usually called "Lyceum Building," as it was constructed under the aus- pices of the Lyceum Association in 1858. All the residents con- tributed to pay the $1,000 it is said to have cost. A library was also started by subscription and kept accumulating through the means of festivals and entertainments until there were upwards of 400 valuable volumes. The building is now in a state of decay. Some years ago it was sold to Dr. William Greaves and moved back.
The City Hall and Fire House was erected in 1880. The lower floor houses the fire apparatus and the upper floor contains the
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social rooms for the firemen, the police headquarters and the city offices and council chambers.
The Northfield Fire Department was organized on February 22, 1872, with the following charter members: David Sibbison, J. F. Hunter, G. W. Moshier, Ed Allen, John Van Atter, C. A. Drew, M. Emery, U. S. De Pencer, W. R. Henderson, James An- derson, J. D. Tolman, H. B. Martin, J. R. Dillon, Felix Collett, WV. G. Cutler. The first officers were: J. R. Dillon, foreman ; H. B. Martin, assistant : W. R. Henderson, secretary ; John Van Atter, treasurer ; J. F. Hunter, steward. The company was orig- inally a hook and ladder company. A fire at Willis Hall, Carle- ton College. December 23, 1879, showed the necessity for better fire protection, and in the spring of 1880 a force pump was pro- cured and attached to the Ames mill. At that time an hydraulic engine and two hose carts were purchased. Since the installation of the waterworks in 1894 the water for fire fighting purposes has been secured from the hydrants. The company now consists of sixteen men, who are detailed for duty on the two hose wagons and the hook and ladder truck, the old engine having been sold. The present officers are: Chief, R. C. Phillips; assistant, Joseph Hickey ; second assistant, Jordan Zanmiller ; secretary, William Hall ; treasurer, Russell Whitson. Chief Phillips has been a fire- man since 1874. In 1880 he was elected secretary of Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, in 1882 he became foreman of that com- pany, and in 1886 assumed his present duties as chief of the de- partment. The firemen conduct a relief association with the fol- lowing officers: President, William Watterson ; secretary, Will- iam Hall ; treasurer, Russell Whitson.
Police Force. Of course, while Northfield was still a town the constables, or a deputy sheriff, if there happened to be one in town, were supposed to be the official guardians of the peace and the preservers of law and order. When the village govern- ment was instituted the marshal was supposed to stand between the people and the elements of turbulence. When, however, Northfield became a city that metropolitan luxury, a police force, made its appearance, and it has existed ever since. The force, as at first organized, consisted of a chief and assistant. The first chief was John R. Horner and the next was Elias Hobbs. The present chief of police is Robert S. Ramage, with Thomas Denney as night watchman.
The Carnegie Library, still operated under the name of the Northfield Public Library, is a pretty brick building well lo- cated and well arranged, containing something like 4,500 volumes. Owing to the fact that reference books are found in plenty in the college libraries here, fiction predominates in this library. As early as 1858 the old Lyceum Association started a small
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library. The Northfield Public Library had its beginning in 1898 and was fathered by Hiram Scriver, who several times en- deavored to contribute $500 for this purpose. At last his offer was accepted, the rooms of the Y. M. C. A. secured and a library and reading room opened with Miss Edith Pye as librarian. The officers at that time were: President, Prof. Charles H. Cooper ; vice-president, Rev. P. Kenny ; secretary, Mrs. W. E. Neal ; treas- urer, Mrs. C. W. Pye; directors, Mrs. E. M. Hitchcock, G. M. Phillips, Dr. A. Fossum, M. Carmichael, D. F. Richardson, Prof. George Huntington. In 1909 an offer of $10,000 was secured from Andrew Carnegie and an unsuccessful attempt made to have this increased to $15,000. Mrs. Hiram Scriver offered her homestead as a site, but this was not accepted. Finally $1,600 was raised by subscription and D. H. Lord presented a lot valued at $800. The building committee consisted of Rev. F. M. Gar- land, Earl H. Watson and Prof. Olay Lee. The cornerstone was laid October 9, 1909, and the library opened April 25, 1910. Aside from the money from Carnegie and the $1,600 raised by subscrip- tion, windows were presented by D. H. Lord, $200 was secured from the Chisholm fund and $233.15 from tag day. The library is supported by a tax levy. The present librarian is Miss Nellie B. Gregg, who has served since July 9, 1907. The present officers are as follows: President, Rev. George Huntington ; treasurer, G. M. Phillips ; secretary, Mrs. George Law ; directors, Prof. Olav Lee, Mrs. I. H. Orcutt, Earl Watson, A. A. Abbott, Rev. F. M. Garland, Miss Martha Watts.
Northfield Park. This park occupies an entire block and was donated by the town proprietor. It is planted with native trees and presents a pretty picture at all seasons of the year. A well- built bandstand also adorns the park.
Bridge Square was platted with the village and provides a practical market place in the center of the city. A drinking fountain for animals was erected in 1895.
Waterworks System. Northfield is supplied with excellent water. coming from an artesian well on the west side. The well was originally 670 feet deep, but is now about 360. The tank holds about 240,000,000 gallons, and the mains have a pressure of ninety pounds in the business streets and seventy-five in the residence districts. The system covers about eight and a half miles and is equipped with eighty-seven hydrants. The pumping station is equipped with the latest approved machinery.
The Sewer System of Northfield was first installed in 1895. Before that the sanitation was provided for by private sewers. The system now covers about five miles of the residence and business streets and empties into the Cannon river below the city.
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Electric Lights. Northfield streets are well lighted by the Consumers Power Company with 116 sixteen-candle power in- candescent lights and seven arc lights. A majority of the stores and business houses are also lighted by electricity. The electric light business in Northfield was started in 1888, and the power was derived from the Ames flour mill. In 1891 machinery was installed in a building on North Division street. In 1893 the plant passed into the possession of the Northfield Light, Heat and Power Company. In 1894 the present site on the west side of North Water street was purchased and machinery installed, the old power plant being sold. In 1907 power was brought in from Waterford and used in connection with the power gen- erated in the local plant. The line covers nine miles of poles, forty miles of wire and the company now has 385 consumers. February I the Consumers' Power Company purchased the plant from A. K. Ware, who in 1900 had purchased all of the stock of the Northfield Light, Heat and Power Company. The superin- tendent and manager of the Northfield division of the Consumers' Power Company is T. E. Hanson. The owners of the company are H. M. Byllesby & Co., of Chicago.
The Northfield Commercial Club has been in existence about ten years. It has club rooms in the Nutting block and has as- sisted in the commercial upbuilding of Northfield in various ways. It was also instrumental in the forming of the Rice County Fair Association. The officers are: President, F. W. Shandorf; vice- president, W. WV. Kinne ; treasurer, J. A. Campbell ; secretary, G. M. Gregg ; directors, Dr. R. D. Kelsey, Dr. Warren Wilson, John S. Way, E. H. Vollmer, Dr. K. J. Mckenzie, Charles Stern and W. W. McGuire.
Rice County Fair Association. The Northfield carnivals, con- ducted in the autumn, have become a feature of Rice county life. The carnivals are accompanied by the usual merry-making and notable speakers are annually secured. Exhibits of farm and household products are made and prizes given for excellence in various lines. The association was organized in 1905 with the following officers: President, Ivan Ringstad; vice-president, J. W. Knickerbocker; treasurer, S. A. Netland; secretary, C. C. Chadwick. The present officers are: President, J. W. Alexan- der ; vice-president, F. E. Bertrand ; treasurer, F. W. Shandorf ; secretary, G. M. Gregg. The state appropriates $500 to this as- sociation annually and the remainder is raised by subscription.
The Northfield Hospital Association was incorporated in Sep- tember, 1910, with the following officers: President, Rev. F. B. Hill ; vice-president, Prof. Paul Schmidt: second vice-president, Dr. J. R. Phillips ; secretary, Dr. Warren Wilson. For five years the Odd Fellows' Home has had a hospital for local patients.
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The new association has purchased the Schilling building at the corner of Eighth and East Water streets and the building will be at once remodeled for hospital purposes.
The Ware Auditorium. Northfield has an excellent play house. a three-story brick building with a seating capacity of about 800, at the corner of Fourth and Washington streets. erected in 1899 and opened September 15 of that year. April 13, 1900, the place was damaged by fire, but was reopened again June 2 of that year.
The Odd Fellows' Home was dedicated June 15, 1900. and was erected at a cost of $25,000 by the Rebekah lodges of the state.
The Young Men's Christian Association, of Northfield, was first organized as a Students' Christian Association in 1874 with the following officers : President, J. J. Dow : vice-president, E. S. Ross ; treasurer, E. W. Young ; secretary, W. K. Mulliken. The last meeting of this organization was on June 14, 1879, when it was reorganized under the rules of the Young Men's Christian Association. A beautiful building was erected in 1885 at 302 South Division street. The building is still owned by the asso- ciation but is not in use. The present officers are: President. Dr. W. A. Hunt ; vice-president, H. O. Dilley ; secretary, E. H. Watson; executive secretary. H. J. Baldwin; treasurer, C. W. Lyman ; trustees, the above with Dr. H. C. Wilson, J. F. Wyman. W. T. Riley, C. J. Mehlin and L. W. Chaney. During the days of its greatest activity Frank Cutler was one of the leading work- ers in the association.
RAILROADS.
Northfield has four railroad divisions, three railroad com- panies and two stations within its limits: Two branches of the lowa & Minnesota division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, one running from the Twin Cities to Mason City. lowa, and the other from Northfield to Red Wing : the main line of the Chicago. Rock Island & Pacific from the Twin Cities to Burlington and the main line of the Great Western from Randolph to Mankato. From south of Northfield to the Twin Cities the Rock Island and the Milwaukee lines use the same track.
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